DIGESTIVE SYSTEMDiseases and Disorders

DHO 8

Created by Dana Cashion

APPENDICITIS

An acute inflammation of the appendix

Usually caused by an obstruction and infection

Appendix can rupture

possibly causing peritonitis

Treated with an

appendectomy

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Generalized abdominal pain,

that later localizes at RLQ

N/V

Mild fever

Elevated WBC count

CHOLECYSTITIS

Inflammation of the gallbladder

But, if gallstones form, it is cholelithiasis

Gallbladder can rupture, esp if gallstones block the bile ducts.

Treatments can be

low-fat diet, lithotripsy

(shock waves to shatter

stones), and/or

cholesystectomy

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Symptoms occur after

eating fatty foods

Indigestion

N/V

Pain under rib cage,

radiating to right shoulder

CIRROHSIS

Chronic destruction of liver cells with formation of fibrous, connective and scar tissue

Can be caused by hepatitis, bile duct disease, chemical toxins, and malnutrition/alcoholism

Treatment is directed at preventing further damage

Prevent further damage by avoiding alcohol; proper nutrition, vitamins, diuretics, rest, infection prevention, and exercise

Can have liver transplant

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Liver enlargement

Anemia

Indigestion

Nausea

Edema in legs and feet

Hematemisis

Nose bleeds

Jaundice

Ascites

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS WITH LIVER FAILURE

Cirrhosis can lead to liver failure

Disorientation

Hallucinations

Hepatic coma

Death

Can have liver transplant

CONSTIPATION

Fecal material stays in the colon too long and causes excessive

absorption of water

Feces becomes hard, dry, and difficult to eliminate

Can be caused by poor bowel habits, chronic laxative use (causes lazy

bowels), diet low in fiber, certain digestive diseases

Treatment included high fiber diet, fluids, and exercise

DIARRHEA

Frequent watery stools

Caused by infection, stress, diet, irritated colon, toxic

substances

Can be very dangerous in children d/t excessive fluid loss

Treatment is to eliminate the cause, adequate fluid intake,

and modify your diet

DIVERTICULITIS

An inflammation of the diverticula (sacs that form in the intestine as

mucosal lining pushes thru muscle)

Can be caused by trapped fecal matter and bacteria

Diverticula can abscess or rupture, causing peritonitis

Treatment includes antibiotics, stool softeners, pain meds, high fiber diet,

sx to remove affected part

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Varies with the amount of inflammation

Abdominal pain

Irregular bowel movements

Flatus

Constipation or diarrhea

Abdominal distention

Low grade fever

n/v

GASTROENTERITIS

Inflammation of mucous membrane

that lines the stomach and intestinal tract

Can be caused by food poisoning,

infection, toxins

Treatment is rest and increased

fluid intake

If severe, abx, IVF, and

medications to slow peristalsis

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Abdominal cramping

n/v

Fever

Diarrhea

GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Chronic digestive disease

Happens when stomach acid flows back (reflux) into your esophagus thru the

lower esophageal sphincter (becomes weak and opens on its own or does

not close)

Reflux causes irritation, inflammation, and damage to the lining of esophagus

Treatment is management and reduction of the symptoms

GERD

Risk Factors include:

Obesity

Pregnancy

Hiatal hernia

Smoking

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Chest burning or pain aka Heartburn

Dysphagia

Sour taste in mouth

DX with GERD if signs and symptoms

occur at least twice each week

TREATMENT FOR GERD

Lifestyle changes:

Losing weight; excess weight puts pressure on your abdomen,

pushing up your stomach and causing acid to back up into your

esophogus

Loose-fitting clothes; tight clothes around your waist put

pressure on your abdomen and lower esophogeal spincter (aka

cardiac spincter)

Eat smaller meals

Stay upright after eating; wait at least 3 hours after eating to lie

down or go to bed

TREATMENT FOR GERD

Medications:

To neutralize stomach acid

To reduce or block stomach acid production

Prokinetics used to strengthen sphincter and speed gastric emptying

If not successful, Nissen fundoplication surgery (laparoscopic procedure)-

tightens the sphincter by wrapping the upper stomach around it

SECONDARY ISSUES GERD

Chronic inflammation of the lining of the esophagus can cause:

Scar tissue to form and create esophageal strictures

(they narrow the esophagus and make it difficult for

food to pass thru)

Esophageal ulcers (open sores) that bleed

Tissue changes can lead to Barrett’s esophagus,

a precancerous condition

HEMORRHOIDS

Painful dilated or varicose veins of rectum and/or anus

Caused by straining to defecate, constipation, pressure during pregnancy,

insufficient fluid intake, laxative abuse, prolonged sitting or standing

Signs and symptoms may be pain, itching, and bleeding in rectal area

Treament includes high fiber diet, increased fluids, stool softener, sitz

baths, warm moist compresses

May need hemorrhoidectomy

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Pain

Itching

bleeding

HEPATITIS

Viral inflammation of the liver

Several types but main are A, B, C

Vaccines for A and B (HBV recommended for health care workers)

Treatment methods included rest and diet high in protein and calories,

and low in fat

Liver transplant may be needed

HEPATITIS A

Aka infectious hepatitis

Highly contagious

Transmitted in food

or water contaminated

by the feces of an

infected person

Most benign and

usually self-limiting

Vaccine available

HEPATITIS B

Aka serum hepatitis

Transmitted by body fluids

Blood and Serum

Saliva and breastmilk

Seman and Vaginal secretions

More serious than type A

Can lead to chronic hepatitis

or cirrhosis

HEPATITIS C

Also spread through contact with blood or body fluids

Transmission includes sharing needles with drugs, getting stuck by sharp,

or passing from mother to infant during birth

More likely to progress to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or both

No vaccine

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEPATITIS

Fever

Anorexia

n/v

Fatigue

Dark-colored urine

Clay-colored stool

Myalgia

Enlarged liver

jaundice

HERNIA

A rupture

Occurs when an internal organ pushes

through a weakened area or natural opening

in a body wall

Treatment may include a bland diet,

small frequent meals, staying upright

after eating, and surgical repair

If the hernia cannot be pushed back

into place (reduced), herniorrhaphy

(sx repair) performed

TYPES OF HERNIAS

Hiatal hernia

Stomach protrudes through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity through the

opening for the esophogus (hiatus!)

Inguinal hernia

Section of the small intestines protrudes through the inguinal rings of the lower

abdominal wall

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Heartburn

Stomach distention

Chest pain

Difficulty swallowing

PANCREATITIS

Inflammation of the pancreas

Pancreatic enzymes begin to

digest the pancreas itself!!

In turn, the pancreas becomes

necrotic, inflamed, and edematous.

If the damage includes the blood

vessels in the pancreas,

hemorrhage and shock can result.

PANCREATITIS Can be caused by too much alcohol or blockage of pancreatic ducts by

gallstones

Also can have idiopathic, or unknown cause

Treatment depends on the cause; cholecystectomy if gallstones. If cause

is alcoholism or unknown, pain meds and nutritional support is needed.

Idiopathic or alcoholic pancreatitis has poor prognosis and results

usually in death.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Severe abdominal pain that radiates to the back

n/v

Diaphoresis

Jaundice

PERITONITIS

Inflammation of abdominal peritoneal cavity

Usually caused by intestinal rupture and contents enter the peritoneal

cavity

Additional causes are ruptured

appendix or gallbladder

Treatment includes antibiotics

and surgical repair of the damaged

intestines

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Abdominal pain and distention

Fever

n/v

ULCER

An open sore on the lining of the digestive tract

Several types of ulcers:

Peptic ulcers r/t pepsin (enzyme of protein digestion)

Gastric ulcers are located in the stomach

Duodenal ulcer are located in the duodenum

Major cause can be h. pylori,

bacteria that burrow into stomach

membrane, allowing stomach acids

and digestive juices to create an

ulcer

ULCER

Treatment includes antacids, bland diet, decreased stress, and avoiding

gastric irritants such as alcohol, fried food, tobacco, caffeine

If confirmed h. pylori, treat with abx, pepto-bismol

Can have surgery to remove affected area

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Burning pain

Indigestion

Hematemesis (bloody vomit)

Melena (dark, tarry stool)

ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Severe inflammation of the colon with formation of ulcers and abscesses

Thought to be caused by stress, food allergy, or autoimmune reaction

Can have periods of remission and exacerbation

ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Treatment is directed at controlling inflammation, reducing stress,

proper nutrition, and avoiding substances that aggravates the condition

Treatment can also included surgical removal of the affected colon and

creation of colostomy

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Main symptom is diarrhea containing blood, pus, and mucous

Weight loss

weakness

abdominal pain

anemia

anorexia